RECORDS OF EXOTICS SCORING MANUAL

SCORER INFORMATION

RECORDS OF EXOTICS was started in the late 1970's by Thompson Temple, to assist hunters in evaluating trophy quality of introduced in . A record book is being produced about every 3 years. Membership is not required to enter an exotic in the R.O.E. record keeping system. Animals that meet or exceed the minimum scores will be listed in our next record book with a $20.00 entry fee. Animals may be scored by one of our over 400 designated scorers throughout the United States. Upon acceptance, the entrant will also receive a beautiful certificate suitable for framing to acknowledge their accomplishment. Depending on the score, all entries qualifying may purchase a bronze, silver, or gold medal on an attractive plaque for a modest fee. Various groupings of exotic animals taken are called "slams". Very nice, inexpensive wildlife bronzes are available for purchase to recognize the hunter's accomplishments. Since 1980, the largest exotics for the previous year have been recognized at our annual banquet. We notify hunters by mail if they qualify to win one of our awards for the best exotics of the year. The beauty of the Records of Exotics scoring systems is its simplicity. The first time scorer can measure quickly and accurately, and the scorer is paid a $5.00 scoring fee for each entry. The hunter or scorer may send the accurately completed scoresheet to R.O.E. along with a $20.00 entry fee. The R.O.E. office maintains the scorers records for the year and issues one payment check annually for all scores submitted. No membership is required by either the hunter or the scorer. The purpose of this booklet is to teach you to measure and to provide the score sheets used for submission of entries. We list almost every specie of foreign , sheep, , and introduced into North America. These score sheets may be downloaded and photocopied and used for entry or they may be ordered at no cost from the address below. If you encounter an animal not listed, please contact us for further instructions. Anyone interested in becoming a scorer (no charge) or registering an animal, may write RECORDS OF EXOTICS, P. O. Box 502, Ingram, TX, 78025, or call (830) 367-5568. Thank you for your interest in scoring for Records of Exotics!

****NOTE**** It is recommended that you download this scoring manual and print a hard copy so that you will have it for future reference.

SCORING INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Insure that the left area of the scoresheet is completed to identify the hunter, date killed, outfitter, and county where the kill was made. The hunter's name should be listed EXACTLY as it is to be put on the certificate and in the record book. Scorers must sign the form and print their name under the signature. This gives extra insurance that the scorer can be properly identified for payment. PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ALL INFORMATION LEGIBLY. If the scorer can't be identified, he or she can't get paid. The witness should also sign the score sheet. Each entry must be accompanied by a photograph of the animal. Some score sheets are multi-animal score sheets and it is extremely important to enter the specie of the animal in the block provided. Each measurement is taken to the closest 1/8" using a 1/4" tape measure. In some cases, a small cable (such as a motorcycle clutch or brake cable) works well on curved or twisted measurements and the tape used to measure from the cable. All measurements should be entered using the format of a whole number and a fraction expressed in eighths of an inch. Fractions of an inch are NOT reduced to quarters or halves and whole number measurements should always be written followed with "0/8" (for example, 16 1/8, 17 2/8, and 23 0/8). Each column is added up with the subtotals entered in the boxes at the bottom of the columns. The eighths should be totaled and converted to numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8. These two subtotals are then added together for the grand total. Again, the eighths should be totaled and converted to numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8. Check addition to make sure it is correct and please be legible. Incomplete or illegible score sheets will be returned.

A MEDAL CLASSIFICATIONS BY SCORE table is provided to show the qualifying score (lowest BRONZE score) and what medal class the trophy earned. If there is no minimum score listed for a specie, then there is no minimum score required for that specie. TWO MEASUREMENTS PER SIDE

This is a multi-animal scoring method that is primarily used on single horn antelope-type animals with some exceptions. Specific animals include: , BLESBOK, CHAMOIS, ELAND, , GEMSBOK, , KOB, , , MARKHOR, , , ROAN ANTELOPE, SABLE ANTELOPE, SITATUNGA, , WATER BUFFALO, and . If a specie has several subspecies, the same scoring method is utilized for all. The score is determined by taking two measurements on each horn. The sum of all measurements is the score. No drying period is required. The length of the horn is measured by placing the end of the tape where the horn meets the skull on top of the horn. The tape should be held on the center of the horn for the measurement with no slack. For animals with large spiral twists of the horns, such as the kudu, markhor, and addax, the length measurement follows the outside of the twist for the length of the horn. For animals with straight or curved horns, such as the eland, oryx, and gemsbok, the tape is not twisted, but is measured directly from the base to the tip. Each horn length measurement is taken to the closest 1/8" and entered in the appropriate box. Each circumference at base measurement is taken around the horn at the hair line and entered in the appropriate boxes. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8 and check your addition to make sure it is correct. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry.

THREE MEASUREMENTS PER SIDE

This is a multi-animal scoring method that is primarily used on single horn sheep or goat-type animals with some exceptions. Specific animals include: AOUDAD (or ), ARMENIAN SHEEP, ANTELOPE, CATALINA GOAT, CORSICAN SHEEP, HAWAIIAN BLACK SHEEP, IBEX, MERINO SHEEP, PURE SHEEP, MOUFLON TYPE SHEEP, RED SHEEP, TEXAS DALL SHEEP, TUR, and YAK. If a specie has several subspecies, the same scoring method is utilized for all. The score is determined by taking three measurements on each horn. The sum of all measurements is the score. No drying period is required. The length of the horn is measured by placing the end of the tape where the horn meets the skull on the top side of the horn. The tape should be held on the center (ridge) of the horn throughout the measurement. The tape should be wrapped snug around the horn from the base to the tip with no slack. The length is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left horns. The circumference at base measurement is taken around the horn on the hair line with the tape pulled snugly against the horn. Each measurement is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left horns. The circumference at 1/2 length measurements are taken at 1/2 of the length of the LONGEST horn. For example, if the right horn is 28 2/8 inches long and the left is 26 0/8 inches, then both the right and left mid-horn circumference measurements should be taken at 14 1/8 inches from the base. Once again, care should be exercised to insure that the tape forms a perfect circle around the horn and is snugly against it with no slack. It is not permissible to move the tape either way to take advantage of a larger measurement resulting from a ridge of the horn. Each measurement is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left horns. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8 and check your addition to make sure it is correct. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry. MOUFLON SPECIAL NOTE** For all entries in the MOUFLON PURE or MOUFLON TYPE categories, photographs of the animal are required. A photo should be taken from an angle that will show the horns from the front. Either category requires that the widest total width of the horns NOT be the tip-to-tip distance. For an entry into the MOUFLON PURE category, the animal must have the mouflon horns and the distinct mouflon coloration of a white saddle patch on its back, white belly, and black mane. This should also be documented in the photo. The MOUFLON TYPE category does not require the distinct coloration and any entries not documenting the proper coloration will be entered as MOUFLON TYPE.

BLACKBUCK SPECIAL NOTE** On taking the length of horn measurement on a blackbuck, the tip of the tape measure is placed where the horn meets the skull. The tape is then extended until the tip of the horn is encountered. The tape does not follow the twists of the horns as it would when measuring a Catalina, but does flow in and out of the twists and is not a straight line measurement (see diagram). The circumference at base measurements are taken around the horn at the hair line. It is not permissible to back away from the hair line to take advantage of a larger measurement resulting from a ridge of the horn. BARASINGHA AND AXIS DEER

Measuring a BARASINGHA and an AXIS DEER are very similar. Each requires measurements of the main antler beams, the inside spread of the main beams, at least one circumference measurement of each beam, and the total length of all points. No drying period is required. To measure the length of the beam, place the end of the tape on the outside edge of the antler on the burr. The tape should be extended with rotations allowed under one's finger as the direction of the antler changes. The measurement is taken at the point of the main beam. This figure is recorded in the appropriate entry box for both the right and left antler. The greatest inside main beam spread is taken in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the two antler beams. This measurement is from the inside of one beam to the inside of the other and is entered on the score sheet only once. The first circumference measurement (and only one for the Barasingha) is taken ABOVE the first point on each beam. The scorer should not allow the tape to ride up on the rise of a point. Measure the greatest circumference between points one and two with the tape well clear of both points and forming a perfect circle around the beam. Enter this circumference measurement in the appropriate box for both the right and left antler. The second circumference measurement (for Axis Deer ONLY) is taken the same as the first, but ABOVE the second point instead of the first. These measurements are also entered in the appropriate box for both the right and left antler. Next the point lengths are measured. The points are numbered from the base of the beam upward. The first point encountered is point #1, the second is point #2, and so on. The end of the tape should be placed on the forward bottom side of the point exactly where it meets the beam. Extend the tape to the tip, take the measurement, and enter it in the appropriate box for both the right and left antler. The remaining points are measured and entered in the same way. For the entry box titled "Total Length All Remaining Points", ALL of the points over and above the ones listed separately are measured, added together, and the one entry is made for each of the the right and left sides. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and please be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry. FALLOW DEER

Three measurements per antler plus one measurement for spread comprise the score for fallow deer. No drying period is required. The length of antler beam is measured on the outside from the burr to the end of the antler. The end of the antler can be on the forward edge or slightly behind. It is possible to look at the antler from the side to determine where the flow of the antler is. In any event, the longest measurement is permissible. The length of each antler is recorded in the appropriate boxes for both the right and left side. The greatest inside main beam spread measurement is taken from the forward edge of each antler. For this score the main beam is considered to be the forward edge of the antler. The inside spread is usually larger to the rear of the antler, but this measurement is not allowed. This measurement is recorded only once on the score sheet in the appropriate box. One circumference measurement is taken on each antler between the typical points one and two. The scorer should slide the tape measure up and down the beam until the least circumference is found between the two points. This score is taken for each antler and recorded in the appropriate boxes. The last and final measurements for the fallow deer are the greatest width of palms (excluding points) measurement. For this one measurement is taken on each palm at its widest point, and must be taken in a perpendicular direction to the direction of the antler. The scorer must find the greatest width excluding points. This is to say that the palm spread is measured but not to include the length of any point off of the palm. These measurements are recorded in the appropriate boxes for each antler. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry. SIKA DEER AND RED DEER

The Sika Deer and Red Deer are scored almost identically as both require measurements of beam length, three circumference measurements of each beam, inside main beam spread, and lengths of all the points. No drying period is required. The beams are measured on the outside of the antler from the burr to the end of the point. If the beam changes direction slightly the thumb should be placed on the tape at that point and a rotation of the tape can be made to follow the beam. If desired, a flexible cable can be used to mark the beam length and the cable then measured to determine the length. The beam measurements for each antler are entered in the appropriate boxes. On a Red Deer, the beam length is the longest measurement attainable on the antler beginning at the burr. In cases where the main beam is indistinguishable past the "crown", the longest point from the crown is considered to be the main beam. The greatest inside main beam spread is taken perpendicular to the direction of the antlers. On a Sika Deer the greatest inside beam spread is often the tip to tip distance and it is permissible to use this measurement. If the tip to tip measurement is not the greatest spread, then the tape measure is moved to the point that is the widest and the measurement is taken from the inward sides of the main beam. The measurement is recorded only one time in the appropriate box. Circumference measurements are taken between points one and two, two and three, and three and four. These circumference measurements are the greatest of the measurements between the points, but staying off of the slope into the points. Each of these measurements are entered into the appropriate boxes for each antler. The points are counted from the bottom up, with the first point on each beam being point #1, the second being point #2, etc. The point lengths are taken from the bottom of the point where it meets the main beam and measured at the tip of the point. Do not measure the main antler beam as a point. This score has been counted in the main beam length. Each score is entered into the appropriate box for each antler. Most Sika Deer will only have the main beam and three points on each side. For animals with more, any additional points are added together (on a particular side) and entered as one measurement in the appropriate box. For Red Deer, points one, two, and three usually come off of the main beam and are easy to score. Exceptional antlers will have a "crown" or cluster of points at point four. In this case, the longest point has been measured as the beam and should not be remeasured. Each of the points are measured from the bottom end next to the main beam out to the end of the point. You will note that there is not a deduct category, hence a set of antlers with a different number of points on each side will not be penalized. Each point is measured, insuring that the main beam point is not measured a second time. The measurements are recorded in the appropriate boxes for each side. Where points are not found on an antler, leave the extra boxes blank. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and please be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry.

FOUR HORN SHEEP

Three measurements are taken on each of the four horns of the Four Horn Sheep. If one or more horns are missing, measure only the remaining horns and indicate the the missing horns on the score sheet. No drying period is required. The length of each horn is measured by placing the end of the tape where the horn meets the skull on the top side of the horn. The tape should be held on the center (ridge) of the horn throughout the measurement. The tape should be wrapped snug on the horn from the base to the tip with no slack. The length is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left, top and bottom horns. The circumference at base measurement is taken around the horn on the hair line with the tape pulled snugly against the horn. If two horns are grown together at the base, care should be taken to get as accurate a measurement as possible as if each horn were separate. Each measurement is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left horns. The circumference at 1/2 length measurements are taken at 1/2 of the length of EACH horn (not the longest horn as with other sheep). For example, if the right horn is 12 2/8 inches long and the left is 14 0/8 inches, then the right mid-horn circumference measurement is taken at 6 1/8 inches from the base and the left mid-horn circumference measurements taken at 7 0/8 inches from the base. Care should be exercised to insure that the tape forms a perfect circle around the horn and is snugly against it with no slack. It is not permissible to move the tape either way to take advantage of a larger measurement resulting from a ridge of the horn. Each measurement is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left horns. After six measurements are taken and entered for each side, the columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and please be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry. WILD BOAR, RUSSIAN BOAR, & CHINESE

For the purposes of Records of Exotics, a differentiation is made between Wild Boar and Russian (European) Boar. The Russian Boar will be very dark in color, usually black, sometimes with a color cast of charcoal, gray, or reddish. Most of the individual hairs will split toward the tips into two or more hairs. The snout will be long and slender and the front shoulders will be the tallest part of the animal, with the back sloping downward toward the hips. The Wild Boar can be any color or combination of colors, the snout is noticeably shorter, and the line of the back will be generally parallel to the ground or slightly rounded. If an entry is submitted and no documentation photographs are supplied, the entry will be placed in the Wild Boar category. For the Boar, two measurements are taken on each lower tusk to comprise the total score. On the Chinese Water Deer, two measurements are taken on each of the two upper tusks to comprise the total score. While is is advantageous to remove the tusks from the jawbone or skull prior to measuring, it is not required. The tusks may be measured without being removed and the length measurements doubled to get the length of the tusks. The circumference measurements are not doubled but are entered as measured at the gum line. No drying period is required. The length of the tusk is measured on its outer curve from a 90 degree angle at the farthest edge of the base to the tip. For example, if the longer jagged end at the base is on the inner curve, use a straight line from the jagged edge to the boundary of the outer curve and measure the length from that point. The measurement is entered in the appropriate boxes for each side. The circumference at base measurement is taken around the tusk just above the jagged edge. As the circumference measurement is taken, take care that the tape remains tight to insure the accuracy of the measurement. Each measurement is entered in the appropriate box for each side. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and please be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry. ELD'S DEER AND PERE DAVID DEER

The Eld's Deer and Pere David Deer are scored almost identically to the Sika Deer and the Red Deer. The Eld's Deer score also includes the number of points on each side while the Pere David Deer does not. In contrast, the Pere David Deer counts all points over seven (as one score) while the Eld's Deer does not. Also, the Eld's Deer gives no credit for the inside main beam spread while the Pere David Deer does. No drying period is required. For specific measurement, see the instructions provided for the Sika Deer and Red Deer. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and please be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry.

MUNTJAC

The utilizes three measurements from each side of the set of antlers plus the number of points on each side for a total score. No drying period is required. For the length of antler beam measurement, the tip of the tape is placed at the bottom of the antler burr (not the hair pedicle) and the measurement is taken at the tip of the beam. The measurements are entered in the appropriate boxes for each side. The base circumference measurements are taken at the base of the antler (not the hair pedicle). The tape is wrapped around the antler base snugly to determine the measurement and the scores are entered into the appropriate boxes for each side. All points on each side (excluding the main beam point) are then measured from the base of the point to the tip. All extra points on each side are totaled together and entered as one measurement per side in the appropriate boxes. The number of points are counted on each antler and entered in the appropriate boxes for each side. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8, check your addition to make sure it is correct, and be legible. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry. (GNU) AND

The scoring method for the Wildebeest (Gnu) and the African Buffalo is unique to these species. No drying period is required. The length of horn measurement is actually one measurement of both horns together. The end of the tape is placed on the tip of one horn and the tape is extended snugly along the bottom of the horn, past the base of that horn, across the top of the skull plate to the base of the other horn, and snugly held along the bottom of the second horn until the tip of the second horn is reached, where the measurement is read. This length is entered only one time in the appropriate box. The circumference at base measurement is taken around the horn on the hair line (or where the hair line would be) with the tape pulled snugly against the horn. Each measurement is entered on the appropriate line for both the right and left horns. Columns are sub-totaled at the bottom and the two sub-totals are added together for the grand total. Remember to convert the numerals leaving a fraction less than 8/8 and check your addition to make sure it is correct. Be sure to include a photograph with the entry.

TEXAS SLAM, BIGHORN SLAM, FALLOW SLAM, SIKA SLAM, SUPER EXOTIC SLAM, CAZADOR SLAM, SAFARI SLAM

A "Slam" is a composite total score of various groupings of species qualifying for entry as one total score only. (However, the scores for each individual animal must equal or exceed the minimum qualifying score for that specie.) The Texas Slam consists of one Mouflon Sheep, one Corsican Sheep, one White Sheep (Texas Dall), and one Black Sheep (Hawaiian Black). The Bighorn Slam consists of one Mouflon Sheep, one Corsican Sheep, one White Sheep (Texas Dall), one Black Sheep (Hawaiian Black), one Catalina Goat, and one Merino Sheep. The Fallow Slam consists of one White Fallow, one Chocolate Fallow, and one Spotted Fallow. Photographs of each animal are required. The Sika Slam consists of one Japanese Sika, one Formosan Sika, and one Manchurian Sika. Photographs of each animal are required for entry. The Cazador Slam consists of one Axis Deer, one Fallow Deer, one Sika Deer, one Blackbuck Antelope, and one Aoudad. The Super Exotic Slam consists of one Axis Deer, one Fallow Deer, one Sika Deer, one Blackbuck Antelope, one Aoudad, one Mouflon Sheep, one Corsican Sheep, one Ibex Goat, one Red Deer, and one Catalina Goat. Each year the Records of Exotics "Hunter of the Year" award is determined by the highest scoring Super Exotic Slam entered for the previous year. The Safari Slam consists of any 16 species recognized by Records of Exotics that meet or exceed minimum score. No individual scores are submitted for this award - only the listing of the species taken. Each animal is individually scored as per instructions for that specie and only the total score is entered in the box next to the specie. The medal classification for the "Slam" is based on the total score of all species in that Slam added together. Therefore, it is possible for a Slam to rank higher than the lowest qualifying specie if the other species are of high enough score to compensate for the difference. It is also possible to "upgrade" a Slam. After a Slam has been submitted, if a hunter collects another animal listed in that Slam that scores higher than the first animal of the same specie, another Slam submission can be made as a separate entry. All of the other species can be resubmitted with the later, higher scoring animal replacing the first animal. Since this is a separate entry, both Slams will be listed.

OTHER SPECIES

Occasionally a scorer will have an opportunity to score an exotic animal that is not listed in these scoring instructions. If this occurs, please contact Records of Exotics for further information: RECORDS OF EXOTICS P. O. BOX 502 INGRAM, TEXAS 78025 (830) 367-5568

For the past several years the network of R.O.E. Scorers across the United States has been the backbone of the R.O.E. concept. Without you, the program could not operate and would never have grown to the point that it is today. We thank you for your continuous support and friendship over the years.